Schumacher Not Planning to Quit in 2004

Five-time World Champion Michael Schumacher has said that he has no plans to quit Formula One and indicated that he wants to continue racing beyond his current contract with Ferrari.

The 33-year old German, who has clinched three consecutive titles since 2000, has a deal with his Ferrari team until the end of the 2004 season but said that he is looking to keep the Italian team's domination going beyond the end of the contract.

"We set out to make a Ferrari era and to keep this time for as long as we can," Schumacher said in an interview with Autosport magazine. "I have a contract until 2004, and hopefully longer."

Schumacher claimed that Ferrari, constructutors' champions for four years in a row, will remain at the top of the sport for the next two years at least, but said he is not desperate to win in every race.

"We want to stay as consistent and successful as we are," the German added. "We will not fall back in a way that we won't achieve wins any more, I don't think. Not for the next two years or so.

"I am quite happy not to win every race, but as long as we can do a good job and still fight for the Championship then that is absolutely fine. Just getting close is fine as well."